Romance backdrop

Romance movies

Stories of passion, heartbreak, and intimacy that explore the beautiful and complicated nature of love.

Subgenres include: Romantic Comedy, Passionate Romance, Dark Romance.

The Mask

1951. The Mask

Romance Comedy Crime Fantasy Parody
7.0

19941h 41min

United States

Director: Chuck Russell

Stanley, a meek bank employee, turns into an eccentric and maniacal green-skinned superhero who can bend reality, after wearing a wooden mask that was created by Loki, the Norse god of mischief.

Themes

Urban spectacle and deception, Social ridicule through transformation, Power through disguise, Identity expressed via disguise, Surreal humor under pressure, Betrayal under pressure

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

It Could Happen to You

1952. It Could Happen to You

Comedy Drama Romance
6.4

19941h 41min

United States

Director: Andrew Bergman

Charlie Lang is a simple, kindhearted New York City cop. When he realizes he has no money to tip waitress Yvonne Biasi, Lang offers her half the winnings of his lottery ticket. Amazingly, the ticket happens to be a winner, in the sum of $4 million. True to his word, Lang proceeds to share the prize money with Biasi, which infuriates his greedy wife, Muriel. Not content with the arrangement, Muriel begins scheming to take all the money.


Forrest Gump

1953. Forrest Gump

Comedy Drama Romance Historical Drama Feel-Good Romance
8.8

19942h 22min

United States

Director: Robert Zemeckis

A man with a low IQ has accomplished great things in his life and been present during significant historic events—in each case, far exceeding what anyone imagined he could do. But despite all he has achieved, his one true love eludes him.

Themes

Hippie era upheaval, Disability and determination, Duty during war and honor, Trauma and resilience, Family bonds and caregiving, Romance amidst adversity

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Wolf

1954. Wolf

Horror Drama Romance
6.3

19942h 5min

United States

Director: Mike Nichols

An aging publisher becomes a demon wolf and, with this newfound youthful vigor, fights to keep his job.


Wild Reeds

1955. Wild Reeds

Drama Romance
7.3

19941h 55min

France

Director: André Téchiné

As the Algerian War draws to a close, a teenager with a girlfriend starts feeling homosexual urges for two of his classmates: a country boy, and a French-Algerian intellectual.


The Last Seduction

1956. The Last Seduction

Thriller Crime Romance Drama
7.0

19941h 50min

United States

Director: John Dahl

A desperate woman steals her husband’s “dirty” money and flees to a small town. There, she starts an affair and quickly finds a new candidate for her schemes. Meanwhile, her furious husband will do anything to get the money back.


To Live

1957. To Live

Drama Romance War
8.3

19942h 13min

China, Hong Kong SAR China

Director: Zhang Yimou

Married couple Fugui and Jiazhen endure tumultuous events in mid-20th century mainland China as their personal fortunes move from wealthy landownership to peasantry.


Queen Margot

1958. Queen Margot

Drama History Romance
7.4

19942h 18min

France, Germany

Director: Patrice Chéreau

Paris, Kingdom of France, August 18, 1572. To avoid the outbreak of a religious war, the Catholic princess Marguerite de Valois, sister of the feeble King Charles IX, marries the Huguenot King Henry III of Navarre.


Three Colors: Red

1959. Three Colors: Red

Drama Mystery Romance
8.1

19941h 40min

France, Poland

Director: Krzysztof Kieślowski

Part-time model Valentine unexpectedly befriends a retired judge after she runs over his dog. At first, the grumpy man shows no concern about the dog, and Valentine decides to keep it. But the two form a bond when she returns to his house and catches him listening to his neighbors’ phone calls.


When a Man Loves a Woman

1960. When a Man Loves a Woman

Drama Romance
6.6

19942h 6min

United States

Director: Luis Mandoki

An airline pilot and his wife are forced to face the consequences of her alcoholism when her addictions threaten her life and their daughter's safety. While the woman enters detox, her husband must face the truth of his enabling behavior.